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Steve Graham

Steve Graham is an award-winning freelance Web and magazine writer living in a Fort Collins, Colorado, neighborhood that will soon produce all of its own energy. He is a former newspaper reporter, editor and designer. He has worked for an alternative weekly and community newspapers in Colorado, and a large daily newspaper in California. Find links to some of his other writing at his Grahamophone blog.

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Entrepreneurs and environmentalists don’t need to clash. There are plenty of opportunities for companies large and small to make money while practicing sustainability and incorporating other ecologically sound business approaches. Can’t we all just get along?

Christmas can really separate the grumpy, green, Grinch-like environmentalists from the festive, red-and-green, Earth-loving elves of generosity among us. The Grinch is the one calculating the elf’s coal use while watching him string up Christmas lights (you’ll see which one I am below). As a business owner, you’ll certainly want to celebrate Christmas with your employees and customers. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for businesses to get into the holiday spirit sustainably, inexpensively and merrily. Read on…

Mass feedlots and slaughterhouses are inhumane and dangerous—and they generate disease and pollution along with their cheap meat. But corporate agriculture giants are driving innovative renewable energy developments. So all is forgiven. Not really, but it goes to show that everything’s not as black and white as the 1906 stockyard photos from Upton Sinclair’s Jungle days. Read on…

It’s time for companies to release another round of annual reports, which for some becomes a major greenwashing opportunity. Many businesses also generate separate corporate social-responsibility reports that largely focus on environmental and labor practices. These days most firms want to jump on the sustainability bandwagon—or at least appear to be on board. To be sure, many are reducing their carbon and water footprints, and taking important strides toward protecting the environment. But some only say they are. Read on…

As a good environmentalist, I know I’m supposed to be thankful for organic food, the national parks and the nonprofit Defenders of Wildlife. I am, but I’m also unexpectedly thankful this year for corporate America. Large companies that I have ignored, boycotted and even protested are now friends of the environment. Here are a few good firms, or at least firms doing good things: Read on…

This Earth Day, many cafeterias will be celebrating with a simple culinary classic that saves money and resources—while inspiring inexpensive, effortless sustainability: the peanut butter and jelly (PB & J) sandwich.

Sodexo, which runs college, corporate, hospital and nursing-home cafeterias, is turning to PB & J to honor the Earth. The idea is to convince its 10 million customers to eat plant-based meals, such as peanut butter and jam, that are “low on the food chain.” Read on…

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Eco Tip

Take a “stay-cation” or vacation closer to home. Reduce your carbon footprint by staying home for vacation. If you do travel, stay as close to home as possible and use public transportation to reach your destination. >More tips...

Eco Quote

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry. — Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732 More quotes...